December 12, 2018 Premier…

December 12, 2018

Premier Ford,

During the election campaign, the Conservative party proudly issued a document titled “ For the People, A Plan for Ontario “.
In it, you committed that, if elected, you would “ Increase the supply of affordable housing across the GTA while protecting the Greenbelt in its entirety. “

I live in the Hamlet of Glen Williams (located in Halton Hills). The citizens have invested significant efforts over the years to ensure new developments respect and maintain the heritage nature and natural environment of our area.
The Hamlet is bordered by the Greenbelt on three sides, therefore the potential for exposing these areas to poorly planned development presents a real risk to the quality of life of all Hamlet residents. In addition, the protection of the Credit River, the historic driver of our community, will be severely weakened.

It appears obvious that a number of the changes contained in the proposed Bill 66 (Restoring Ontario’s Competitiveness Act, 2018) could quickly erode the improvements in development planning established through years of citizen efforts. I.e.:
1. It can result in good planning practices being overridden in response to financial desires and objectives of developers.
2. Municipalities will be tempted by financial considerations to choose poorly regulated increased development and housing density in order to secure an increased tax base.
3. It will facilitate the loss of green space that is fundamental to our environmental health and erode the ability of citizens to maintain the heritage character of small towns and rural areas.

The Bill, as currently drafted, will give municipalities the power to override existing legislation that they may view as impeding economic development i.e. by passing an “open for business” planning bylaw.
Most of the legislation that can be rolled back under Bill 66 was specifically put in place to protect the health and safety of the people of Ontario, such as:
• The Clean Water Act (adopted after the Walkerton tragedy)
• The Greenbelt Act
• The Places to Grow Act (Growth Plan)
• etc.
As per my understanding of Bill 66 provisions, these special bylaws could be passed without public notice, without a public meeting, and without any opportunity for appeal i.e. it erodes traditional citizen rights.
It is difficult to believe that any government would impose such draconian changes in the face of critical and increasing environmental risks. Unless Bill 66 is altered, the government slogan of “Open for Business” will become a masked message to corporations (national and international) for “Come on In, no pesky regulations here.”

I wish to unequivocally register my significant concerns and total disagreement with changes related to the Greenbelt that are being proposed under Bill 66.
I would note that this does not have to be an either/or decision; with thoughtful intelligent policies it is possible to meet both promises.

With respect,

Cc Mr. Ted Arnott, MPP